The launch event for GamProtect, held on Wednesday, 11 September 2024 at Prospero House, London, marked a significant milestone in the development of safer gambling practices in the UK. The event featured key presentations from industry leaders, including Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Kane Purdy, Chair of the Board of GamProtect, and Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission[5).
The initiative, which has been in development since 2020, aims to provide a collaborative solution to minimize gambling-related harm while ensuring robust data protection. Here are some key points from the event:
- Single Customer View Challenge: The concept of a Single Customer View was first introduced in 2020, challenging the industry to develop a system that could protect consumers from harm while safeguarding their data. This challenge was accepted by the BGC and major operators, with significant progress made over the past four years;
- Legal Basis and Data Protection: The development of GamProtect involved securing a sound legal basis with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Initially, the ICO was concerned about the sharing of sensitive data, but a framework was developed to ensure data protection. Instead of sharing sensitive data, the system uses a flagging system to avoid breaching data protection laws;
- Collaboration and Implementation: The success of GamProtect is attributed to extensive collaboration among industry stakeholders, including data protection officers and financial services experts. The system is designed to be proportionate, ensuring that only necessary data is shared to protect vulnerable individuals;
- Data Retention and Security: The data retention policy includes an initial five-year exclusion period, followed by a 35-year residual exclusion period, and an additional seven-year archival period. This approach is designed to protect vulnerable players, including those with histories of personal strife or tragedy;
- Redress Process and Orphan Data: The scheme includes a redress process for individuals who may disagree with their inclusion. Additionally, the concept of orphan data ensures that sensitive customer data is not shared, enhancing data security and safety;
- Future Plans and Expansion: As GamProtect continues to grow, additional use cases are being explored. The system will need to adapt to new requirements, including re-evaluating data sharing and retention times as the scheme expands;
The event highlighted the importance of industry collaboration and the commitment to safer gambling practices. With over 5,500 players already on the scheme as of 8 September, GamProtect is poised to make a significant impact in reducing gambling-related harm in the UK.
| Key Figures | Roles |
|---|---|
| Grainne Hurst | CEO, Betting and Gaming Council |
| Kane Purdy | Chair of the Board, GamProtect Ltd |
| Tim Miller | Executive Director of Research and Policy, Gambling Commission |
| Andreas Klug | Chief Protection Officer, Entain |
| Jacqueline Gazey | Interim DPO for UK & Ireland, Entain |
| Joseph Gaunt | Data Protection Officer, Evoke Group |
The launch of GamProtect marks a significant step forward in the industry’s commitment to safer gambling and data protection, and it is expected to continue evolving to meet the needs of both operators and consumers.
